Monster Energy Balls are like channeling your favorite peanut butter-packed, M&M-filled Monster Cookies into a more nutritious snack — an energy bite!
Monster Energy Balls
I love having some warm chewy chocolate chip cookies on the table for my kiddos after their first day of school, but this year I’m going the more nutritious route and serving these monster energy balls instead!
My boys love monster cookies and love energy bites so why not combine the two into the perfect after-school snack?!
Quick Tip
For gluten-free Monster Energy Balls: While the ingredients in these balls are naturally gluten-free, make sure to check all the ingredient labels to verify they weren’t processed in a facility with gluten.
Monster Energy Ball Ingredients
While these energy balls contain fairly standard ingredients (no stops to specialty health stores required!), I have a few notes about specific ingredients worth mentioning.
- Quick oats. Most of the energy ball recipes on this site use old-fashioned oats, but since we aren’t pulsing or blending this mixture, we use quick oats. They will absorb the liquid mixture quicker and since the oats are smaller, they will be less overwhelming in these energy balls.
- Honey. Before pouring the honey into a measuring cup, give the measuring cup a quick spritz with cooking spray and prepare to be amazed as the honey glides right out — right into the bowl with no scraping!
- Peanut butter. Peanut butter varies quite a bit from brand to brand. You’ll see this especially if you use natural peanut butter that requires stirring– versus conventional peanut butter with a few additives. I use Skippy® creamy peanut butter in these balls (not sponsored). It’s salted, a little sweetened, and it uses roasted peanuts (which adds loads of flavor without any additional effort on your part).
- Salt. Depending on the peanut butter used, you may want to adjust how much salt you add. If you’re using peanut butter with no salt added, you may want to add a touch more salt to the mixture. On the flip side, if you’re using salty peanut butter or are sensitive to salt, cut back on the salt.
- Vanilla extract. I recommend real, pure vanilla extract and not imitation vanilla — here’s the difference.
- Miniature chocolate chips. If you want to keep these Monster Energy Balls as nutritious as possible, use dark chocolate miniature chocolate chips. (Dark chocolate has antioxidants and other healthful properties.)
- M&M® Minis baking bits. I recommend buying the baking bits, as opposed to buying the small tubes of miniature M&M’s. The baking bits are cheaper and easier to find as opposed to small tubes of miniature M&Ms. These baking bits can usually be found with other baking chips in the baking aisle of the grocery store.
Variations
Variation Ideas
Monster Energy Bites are very adaptable. As long as you can get a consistency that holds together as a granola ball, you’ll be golden.
- Swap out peanut butter for different nut butter. Other nut butters can be drier than peanut butter — you’ll know you need more if the mixture is crumbly and not coming together nicely. Add additional nut butter slowly; use 1-2 tablespoons at a time.
- Change up the chocolate. Use coarsely chopped chocolate instead of miniature chocolate chips or replace the chocolate chips/M&Ms with a different mix-in (think finely nuts, chopped craisins, toffee chips, or coconut flakes).
Storage
Monster Energy Ball Storage
We like to enjoy a few of these right as we make them. Then we’ll store some in the fridge to eat throughout the week and freeze the rest (if there are leftovers, that is!).
To freeze: Space the Monster Energy Balls on a lined plate or tray in the freezer. Once firm (about 1-2 hours), transfer to an airtight bag or freezer container. They’ll last up to 6 months in the freezer.
To thaw: Simply pull one out and let it stand for about 15-30 minutes. You could also pop these nuggets in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. (When they’re completely frozen they are hard to eat, but don’t feel like you need to completely thaw them before eating — we enjoy them still a bit frozen– they’re delicious that way!)
More energy balls
- S’mores Energy Bites with miniature marshmallows and chocolate chips
- Chocolate Energy Bites made with protein powder
- Oatmeal Energy Balls with coconut and chocolate
- No-Bake Energy Bites with dates and cashews
- Energy Bites with peanut butter and honey
Monster Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 3 cups quick oats
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter (we love Skippy)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt Note 1
- 1/2 cup miniature M&Ms
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons miniature chocolate chips
Instructions
- COMBINE: Combine all of the ingredients in a very large bowl. Using a hand mixer on low speed, beat until a thick mixture is formed. (Or do this in a stand mixer.) See Note 2.
- ROLL: Use a 1-tablespoon measuring spoon or 1-1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the dough and then tightly roll into balls (Note 3). Once rolled, place in the fridge (on a parchment paper-lined plate or tray so they don't stick) to firm up for about 30 mins to an hour and then transfer to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for 1-2 weeks or freeze (see next step).
- FREEZE: To freeze, space the energy balls on a lined plate or tray in the freezer. Once firm (about 1-2 hours), transfer to an airtight bag or freezer container. They'll last up to 6 months in the freezer. To thaw: Simply pull one out and let it stand for about 15-30 minutes. You could also pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. When these bites are completely frozen, they are very hard to eat, but don't feel like you need to completely thaw them before eating -- we enjoy them still a bit frozen. They're delicious that way!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I just made these and I’m in heaven. I’m trying to lose weight but have a massive sweet tooth I really need to get better at managing. These were easy to make and I didn’t feel any guilt for indulging in one or two. No changes needed to the recipe, though I might try a different type of honey because the one I keep on hand tastes a bit too flowery for these. I got about 40 balls from this recipe and will be making these a staple to stave off the sweets!
Ahh I am so thrilled to hear how much you love these! Thanks Amanda! 🙂
Love these!!! Easy to make
So glad to hear that! 🙂 Thanks Heidi!